Locator: 48630BIO.
Quick: who is Shri Thanedar?
Another amazing immigrant story.
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Apple
I could be wrong, but it appears that "everything" in the network arena --- smart watches, tablets, laptops, and desktops -- are optimized for mobile devices, specifically tablets. Or perhaps better said, the tech companies, online retail companies, FinTech companies, logistic companies, etc., are all devoting their resources to optimizing operations on mobile devices, specifically the tablet and the cellular phone. I'm sure others can articulate that a whole lot better than I can but if I want to get something done -- other than blogging -- the tablet is the "go-to" device.
Now, this week, this story, link here: Apple's iPad demand soars.
I can't wait to read the comments at that link. LOL.
In bullet form, tablets, globally:
- Apple led the global tablet market in 1Q25; achieved 14% growth y/y;
- worldwide tablet shipments reached 36.8 million units in 1Q25; that was an 8.5% y/y increase;
- Apple shipped -- holy mackerel -- 13.7 million iPads in 1Q25 -- up from 12.1 million iPads in iQ24;
- that explains why the price of iPads are plummeting -- clearly never, ever a better time to buy an iPad;
- Apple's global market share jumped from 35.5% to 37.3% y/y
- Apple's shipment growth outpaced the broader market and occurred despite increased competitive pressure from Chinese vendors including Xiaomi, Huawei, and HONOR.
- going for the low-margin market:
- Xiaomi, in particular, saw a 56.1% y/y increase in tablet shipments, reaching 3.1 million unit and surpassing Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company with extensive ties to the People's Liberation Army and the CCP's state-directed espionage campaigns. Lenovo's largest shareholder is the Chinese government. Currently, the U.S. Navy Exchange offers at least ten CCP-linked Lenovo computer and IT products.
DOD retail exchanges never fail to amaze me.
This comment at the linked article caught me eye:
Xiaomi make some nice stuff but for some reason they keep their best stuff for China only. I flit back and forth between iOS and android devices. The last android device I had was the Pad 5 Pro 12.4, it was basically an iPad Pro in design but running android. If I hadn’t switched to iPad specifically for Procreate I’d likely still be using it.
Procreate: the #1 selling app in the App Store. The #1 selling app. Think about that. I have Procreate on my iPad. It was one of the first, maybe the first, app I ever bought. The five-year-old twins love it.
Another great comment:
I'm not sure why shipments are up, but we have bought 3 in the last year. I get that some people never have a use for tablets, but much like I've never used a laptop in any way shape or form, doesn't mean millions of other peeps couldn't live without one.
My wife is constantly FB, IG, YT, Apple News for dozens of things first thing when she's up... and TV in bed. Plus all the regular stuff... work emails, zoom meetings, etc. It's 1000x easier than a laptop for her. We call it her boyfriend.
If she needs to do tons of emails or reports she's got a desktop with a mini.
Refurb 11" M1 Pro, was $600. [Today, the 11" iPad Pro lists for $999 and up.]
Kids are in college and use the base iPads with pencils for notes. $275 on BF last year. They zip thru them like its nothing. Like watching a teenager text for the first time and wondering how in HELL can they get their fingers moving that fast.
That said, they all have alternatives to the iPad, minis and MBAs.
For purely content consumption, its great, and from an Apple ecosystem perspective -- photos, texts, Facetime, all synced.
Looks like it's time to buy my wife a new 11-inch or 13-ince iPad. One would think the 13-inch is better for watching movies but the 11-inch might be a better size for watching in bed. 11-inch? $599 list price but now selling for $529 at Amazon. The iPad lists for $349 but now selling for $299 on Amazon.
$8 for a tall Pike Place and a croissant x 20 days = $160. Give up two months of "basic" Starbucks for an M3 iPad. Wow.
